Tamara Tatham is used to making history. The two time Olympian helped Team Canada win gold in the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games when they defeated the United States to claim the first ever Pan Am gold medal in Canadian basketball. In 2018, she became the first Canadian woman to join the coaching staff of a men’s professional sports team, Raptors 905. And, earlier this year, she was named the interim head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team - the first Black woman in that role.
This week, the U of T community was invited to join Tatham and Sportsnet’s Donnovan Bennett online in a wide ranging Q & A that touched upon the issue of race and gender in sport, her coaching vision and a number of topics in between.
“I want to show young female athletes that there is something that can come out of your hard work and dedication. As a Black woman, it’s also important to me that young Black female athletes have someone to look up to,” said Tatham, reflecting on her trailblazing path.
Citing a report by the CBC that showed only 10 per cent of leadership positions in University Sports were filled by a Black person, an Indigenous person or a person of colour, Bennett wanted to know what can be done to make leadership in Canadian sport look more diverse.
“We have to start by recognizing that this is happening and ensure that we are providing opportunities for Black persons, Indigenous persons and persons of colour. But, I also think it’s important to understand the background of this issue. What hinders them from applying to these jobs? What makes them feel like they may not fit in?” said Tatham, who took over as interim head coach of the team from Michèle Bélanger, who retired earlier this summer after more than 40 years at U of T.
“Michèle taught me to use my voice,” said Tatham about her predecessor. “If there’s something you need to say, go ahead and say it. This helped me as an athlete and now as a coach.”
So, what would she say about her coaching style?
“I mean business and I expect the best from my players. But, I also want them to enjoy the game. I’m very disciplined. I’m never late and like things to be organized. I’m a good motivator – and I’m fun.”
A viewer wanted to know what music they would most likely find on her iPod. Probably Drake was the short answer.
What about her favourite basketball shoes? Kobes, she said, referring to the sneakers designed by basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident earlier in the year.
How will her faith help her lead? She’ll draw on it for kindness, resilience, patience and giving.
The questions came fast and furious and she replied to each thoughtfully.
We learned that Tatham comes from a family of basketball players. Her brother Patrick played for the Cleveland State Viking’s basketball team and now serves as head coach of the McMaster University men’s basketball team. Her sister Alisha was her teammate on Team Canada at the 2012 Summer Olympics Games. As children, they used to get their inspiration from watching Michael Jordan dominate the courts. But when the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was formed, Tatham added a few female names to her list of heroes, including Lisa Leslie and Cynthia Cooper.
So, what is she looking for in a player? A feel for the game, she said. The rest can be improved.
Tatham’s vision for the women’s basketball program is to create a generation of leaders on and off court. Recalling her experience as an Olympian, she said you can’t know what you can do until you try it.
“We were 25th in the world when I played for Team Canada and we went all the way to the 5th spot. Can we make U of T a school that is recognized not only for its academics, but also for its basketball? Why not?” she said.
“I want everyone who sees the Blues on court to think, “They are together, they play as one and they run as one, they do everything as a unit.””
But, how do you implement a buy in culture into the team, Bennett wanted to know.
“A big piece is your leadership. You need to show leadership, but also let your athletes know that leadership comes from everyone, not just coaches. They need to be able to self-lead and that’s something we’ve already started to work on.”
Also high on Tatham’s list: respect and trust in one another and their coaches.
“I am someone with integrity and I am very proud to be who I am, a Black woman, a Canadian, a mentor, daughter and sister. That’s who I am and that’s what I want my athletes to know about me. But I also want to help them to create their own legacy.”
Missed the conversation? Check out the event recording here.